President Trump signs Executive Order making burning the American Flag a crime punishable by jail time.

I am 100% AGAINST this. Originally Posted by Jacky S

I can only imagine why you're against this but burning the flag should be legal and protected under the 1st Amendment. I've heard that if the American flag touches the ground it should be burned I suppose in a cerimonial way. If people are upset with Trump's policies over immigration then they can display the flag upside down to show a sign of distress.

Fair enough Salty. I read the order after reading your post and agree. Originally Posted by Tiny

I do not. If burning a flag on private property is not a crime then doing so on public property should not be either.

This type of order merely adds more felonies to the other types of charges like trespassing that the state tries to use to punish protesters.

This is just another way to restrict your freedom of speech.

... Thanks, mate.

... Now I'm not exactly certain - 'cause I'd have to ask Him
- but I surely reckon this new rule is aimed at foreign
activists who seek to do violent protests in American
citys and townes. ... Perhaps President Trump just wanted
to add more "teeth" to the law.

#### Salty Originally Posted by Salty Again

And violate their rights to free speech and expression at the same time.

Salty . .I get it and feel much the same way, but . . .

.I don't agree with this EO.

I have understood that for a long time now, flag burning has been foundd to be a legal exercise of the First Amendment right to free speech. President Trump can sign an executive order, but a pen is not a magic wand and waiving one won't make the First Amendment go away or disappear SCOTUS decisions.

But that First Amendment protection extends to other flags as well. I'd like to see a few other symbols of national sovereignty or aspiration torched on live stream for the evening news. Then we'd see some outrage!

...I read the order after reading your post and agree. Originally Posted by Tiny

Wait! Whut?!? Are you advocating for actually reading the OP b-e-f-o-r-e commenting on it?!?

Egads! What's next? Contemplation and Critical thinking?!?


Sure is a slippery slope you're rolling down.

How long has your family been here? Do you have legally binding proof of your original family settlers followed all legal procedures as of TODAY? Maybe you do...most likely every one of us (Sodium saturated individuals excluded) don't. My family was established here before there was a fucking country...how's that work? Originally Posted by 69in2it69

What the fuck does this have to do with what I said or with the thread in general?

no it's not. slander/libel someone or threaten them with harm and find out real quick free speech isn't unrestricted free speech






prove it Originally Posted by The_Waco_Kid

Mid-1600s and quite well documented. If you want me to prove it, simply post YOUR real world info here and I will.

How long has your family been here? Do you have legally binding proof of your original family settlers followed all legal procedures as of TODAY? Maybe you do...most likely every one of us (Sodium saturated individuals excluded) don't. My family was established here before there was a fucking country...how's that work? Originally Posted by 69in2it69

My ancestry dates back 11 generations to 1658, 30 years after the founding of the colony. My 10x Grandfather came as an indentured servant to the Massachusetts colony. He gained his freedom in 1672 and died in 1678. So... yeah 14 years a slave...lol.

We've also verifiably served in every conflict this nation has fought except the war of 1812.

And I agree. If you hate your Nation so much that you feel the need to burn her flag, you should indeed get the fcuk out.

I don't think flag burning should be outlawed...

I just think that if one were true to your ideals then you should get the fcuk out to wherever you think your ideals are represented. I don't care how long you've been here or how far back your family goes.

On the flip side of that, I don't think assaulting a flag burner should be illegal. To me that is an incitement to violence. If I saw that about to happen I would attempt to steal the flag away or assault the person attempting to burn it.

For me that flag represents friends that have died so that you Yes can have the right to try and light that flag on fire... but you should have the sense not to do so. And I should lawfully ba allowed to beat that sense into you.


Similar to these dumb chicks below.



** I wish that as violently as everyone seems to want to defend the 1st amendment, they felt as attached to the 2nd. Because it is that amendment that at the end of the day, is our only resort if the 1st is ever stripped from us.

So if someone does or says something others find offensive they should have the right to assault them or technically commit a battery? Is that your stance. I can think of some other circumstances this should be applied to outside flag burning, so are you going to be agreeable to the other circumstances as well?

I just think that if one were true to your ideals then you should get the fcuk out to wherever you think your ideals are represented. I don't care how long you've been here or how far back your family goes.

On the flip side of that, I don't think assaulting a flag burner should be illegal. To me that is an incitement to violence. If I saw that about to happen I would attempt to steal the flag away or assault the person attempting to burn it.

For me that flag represents friends that have died so that you Yes can have the right to try and light that flag on fire... but you should have the sense not to do so. And I should lawfully ba allowed to beat that sense into you. Originally Posted by texassapper

Although I understand the frustration that can occur when you feel like you or things you care about are being disrespected that doesn’t make it okay to assault them or expel them from the country.

That’s the kind of attitude that allows homophobia or anti-semitism or bigotry to lead to violence. Can’t beat someone up just because you don’t like them or think they’re dumb shits. Unfortunately.

I do not. If burning a flag on private property is not a crime then doing so on public property should not be either.

This type of order merely adds more felonies to the other types of charges like trespassing that the state tries to use to punish protesters.

This is just another way to restrict your freedom of speech. Originally Posted by txdot-guy

Yeah, the last thing I want is to incarcerate more people for nonviolent, victimless crimes. Take Salty’s advice TxDot and read the order. It recognizes that flag burning is a constitutional right. They’re apparently going to prioritize prosecutions for actual crimes committed in conjunction with flag burning. If you burn a flag on federal property you darn well better clean up the ashes or you’ll be prosecuted for littering. That’s not necessarily a good thing IMHO. But it’s a whole lot different from prosecuting people for exercising their right to free speech.

So if someone does or says something others find offensive they should have the right to assault them or technically commit a battery? Is that your stance. I can think of some other circumstances this should be applied to outside flag burning, so are you going to be agreeable to the other circumstances as well? Originally Posted by 1blackman1

We all know exactly what you are referring to.. a certain segment of our society that is sensitive to mean words. And they already use that defense do they not?

And you clearly agree with them that when they are offended they should beat the other person for offending them. Personally, I’m an American and my belief is that you can say whatever you like as long as you’re not endangering the other person, but that’s me. My military service supports that view. However, you have stated that you see it differently and though I disagree with you, as does the Supreme Court on the matter, you’re entitled to your opinion no matter how offensive I find it.

I can only imagine why you're against this but burning the flag should be legal and protected under the 1st Amendment. I've heard that if the American flag touches the ground it should be burned I suppose in a cerimonial way. If people are upset with Trump's policies over immigration then they can display the flag upside down to show a sign of distress. Originally Posted by CPT Savajo

Let me clarify.

I am 100% against President Trump signing an Executive Order making flag burning a jail time crime.

Yeah, the last thing I want is to incarcerate more people for nonviolent, victimless crimes. Take Salty’s advice TxDot and read the order. It recognizes that flag burning is a constitutional right. They’re apparently going to prioritize prosecutions for actual crimes committed in conjunction with flag burning. If you burn a flag on federal property you darn well better clean up the ashes or you’ll be prosecuted for littering. That’s not necessarily a good thing IMHO. But it’s a whole lot different from prosecuting people for exercising their right to free speech. Originally Posted by Tiny

Let me place this executive order in a context that may change your mind.

By saying flag burning is un-American and telling the justice department to prioritize the arrest and prosecution of those responsible he is actively targeting people and organizations based solely on their political beliefs.

That’s what this executive order is designed to do. Suppress the political activity of those whom he decides is objectionable by framing it as un-American.

I’m sorry but I can’t support that.